Celebrating the Art of Storytelling

Stephen Hunter is best known for his fantastical role as Dwarf Bombur in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit Trilogy, starring alongside Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen.

Stephen’s next feature appearances will be in Scoby, Spa Weekend and the Amazon US feature, Play Dirty. His notable film credits include: Escape From Pretoria alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Thor: Love & Thunder, Killing Ground, The Merger, the lead role of Madcap in the sci-fi adventure Blue World Order opposite Billy Zane, The Whistleblower, UNindian, the US horror Children of The Corn (dir. Kurt Wimmer) and for his work in the film, Ruby’s Choice, with Jane Seymour, he received a Best Supporting Actor nomination from Film Critics Circle of Australia.

Stephen has also worked extensively in television, his recent credits include: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters S2 (Apple) and Bay of Fires S2. He has also appeared in Heartbreak High (Netflix), The Leftovers (HBO), Reef Break (ABC Network), Spirited (Foxtel), Ten Pound Poms (Stan), Wanted (Netflix), Wolf Creek (Stan), Wakefield (BBC), The Tourist (HBO), Halifax Retribution (Network Nine), as well as Barons, Janet King, The Messenger and Rosehaven (all for the ABC Australia).

Stephen can currently be seen on ABC iView starring in the comedy series, Optics and the Australian spin-off mystery series, Return To Paradise (BBC).

Jessica Stafford-Ewing is an Australian actor, presenter and producer with over 25 years’ experience across film, television, radio and live performance. Beginning with screen performance training from an early age, and later building a career in journalism, she has established a multifaceted career both in front of and behind the camera.

Jessica has appeared in feature films, television productions and live shows, has worked as a presenter on Network 10 and as a radio newsreader across major Australian networks. In 2024, she co-founded Scene 11 Productions with Hervey Bay actress and Producer Nicole Payten-Betts; the duo along with their producing partner, award-winning actor and director Scott Major, and local First Nations actor, writer and director, David Cook, are currently in the development stages of an exciting project set right here in the Wide Bay region.

With a strong understanding and appreciation of storytelling, Jessica brings a well-rounded industry perspective and a passion for authentic, original voices to her role as a film festival judge. 

Hailing from the Canadian prairies, Kevin embarked on an acting and stunt career in Vancouver at the age of 21. However, what was intended to be a long and successful acting journey was unexpectedly redirected by a newfound passion for directing, a skill perhaps born from his intrinsic understanding of an actor’s perspective. He quickly learned the ropes at Boldfish Entertainment, directing corporate videos before gaining further experience on the documentary Paths of Dust and Hope, filmed in Mozambique.

Kevin later shot and directed corporate videos and short films in Sydney and Siem Reap. After attending a short film school in Newcastle, he directed his finalist-awarded short film, The Cookie. Whether acting, directing, writing, or simply running cables, Kevin’s passion for the film industry is undeniable. He is particularly keen to see it grow in regional areas, making it more accessible to local communities. Known for penning 3 a.m. script ideas, he looks forward to sinking his teeth into an action film in the near future.

With over 30 years of industry experience, Kevin possesses an exceptional ability to encourage and direct people, bringing enthusiasm to every set. From award-winning shorts and documentaries to scripted features and music videos, he has written, produced, and directed a diverse range of projects, all united by his commitment to telling stories that matter. His authentic, comedic, and powerful approach elevates productions, fostering deep collaboration and some good old-fashioned fun.